Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Valiant |
| Year | 2007–2013 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.93 m (35.9 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.59 m (11.8 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i measures 10.93m (35.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.59m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 0.35m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 29.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37